Method for servicing a self-cooled data storage library

ABSTRACT

A method of servicing a data storage library having at least one access opening and at least one access door to permit access to an interior of the data storage library, the method including providing at least one barrier configured to at least partially surround the at least one library access opening when the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier is configured to resist environmental conditions from exterior the barrier and data storage library from intruding into the interior of data storage library when the barrier is deployed. The method also includes deploying the at least one barrier when the at least one access door is opened to form an interior working space, accessing the interior space formed by the at least one barrier, and accessing the interior of the data storage library via the at least one library access opening.

RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent document claims priority to, and is a continuation of, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/460,423, filed Mar. 16, 2017. Thedisclosure of the priority application is fully incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a data storage library for the storageand data transfer of data storage media, and more specifically, to amethod for servicing a data storage library a barrier at least partiallysurrounding at least an access opening of the data storage library.

Automated data storage libraries are known for providing cost effectivestorage and retrieval of large quantities of data. The data in automateddata storage libraries is typically stored on media of data storagecartridges that are, in turn, stored at storage slots or the like insidethe library in a fashion that renders the media, and its resident data,accessible for physical retrieval. Such data storage cartridges arecommonly termed “removable media.” Data storage cartridge media maycomprise any type of media on which data may be stored and which mayserve as removable media, including but not limited to magnetic media(such as magnetic tape or disks), optical media (such as optical tape ordisks), electronic media (such as PROM, EEPROM, flash PROM,COMPACTFLASH™, SMARTMEDIA™, MEMORY STICK™, etc.), or other suitablemedia. An example of a data storage cartridge that is widely employed inautomated data storage libraries for mass data storage is a magnetictape cartridge.

In addition to data storage media, automated data storage librariestypically comprise data storage drives that store data to, and/orretrieve data from, the data storage cartridge media. Further, automateddata storage libraries typically comprise I/O stations at which datastorage cartridges are supplied or added to, or removed from, thelibrary. The transport of data storage cartridges between data storageslots, data storage drives, and I/O stations is typically accomplishedby one or more robotic accessors. Such accessors have grippers forphysically retrieving the selected data storage cartridges from thestorage slots within the automated data storage library and transportingsuch cartridges to the data storage drives by moving, for example, inthe horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) directions.

In an effort to increase storage capacity, deep slot technology allowsfor storage cells that contain more than a single data storagecartridge. Such storage libraries allow for higher density, or morecartridges stored per square foot. In “deep slot” libraries, two or morecartridges may be stored in a multi-cartridge deep slot cell, arrayed inseries, one behind the other, in tiers ranging from a front-most tier toa rearmost tier.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method of servicing adata storage library having at least one access opening and at least oneaccess door associated with the at least one library access opening topermit access to an interior of the data storage library is disclosed.The method includes providing at least one barrier configured to atleast partially surround the at least one library access opening whenthe at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrieris configured and constructed to resist environmental conditions frompenetrating the barrier, and opening the at least one access door. Themethod also includes deploying the at least one barrier when the atleast one access door is opened to form an interior working space,accessing the interior working space formed by the at least one barrier,and accessing the interior of the data storage library via the at leastone library access opening.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, another method ofservicing a data storage library having at least one access opening andat least one access door associated with the at least one library accessopening to permit access to an interior of the data storage library isdisclosed. The method includes providing at least one barrier configuredto at least partially surround the at least one library access openingwhen the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least onebarrier comprises at least a first surface operatively coupled to atleast a portion of the at least one access door and at least a secondsurface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the data storagelibrary, and automatically deploying the at least one barrier when theat least one access door is opened to form an interior working space.The method also includes accessing the interior working space formed bythe at least one barrier, and accessing the interior of the data storagelibrary via the at least one library access opening.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, another method ofservicing a data storage library having at least one access opening andat least one access door associated with the at least one library accessopening to permit access to an interior of the data storage library isdisclosed. The method includes opening the at least one access doorassociated with the at least one library access opening, and erecting atleast one barrier configured to at least partially surround the at leastone library access opening when the at least one access door is opened,wherein the at least one barrier comprises at least a first surfaceoperatively coupled to at least a portion of the at least one accessdoor and at least a second surface operatively coupled to at least aportion of the data storage library. The method also includes accessingan interior space formed by the at least one barrier, and accessing theinterior of the data storage library via the at least one library accessopening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an automated data storage libraryaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another embodiment of an automated datastorage library.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior of a storage frame from thedata storage library of FIGS. 1A & 1B.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an automated data storage libraryaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a controller configuration accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a system for storing magnetic recordingmedia, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of a data storage library inaccordance with one aspect.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a data storage library and deployedbarrier in accordance with one aspect.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a data storage library and deployedbarrier in accordance with another aspect.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a data storage library and deployedbarrier in accordance with another aspect.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a data storage library and deployedbarrier in accordance with another aspect.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method of accessing a data storage libraryto perform a service procedure within the data storage library inaccordance with one aspect.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of accessing a data storage libraryto perform a service procedure within the data storage library inaccordance with another aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the present invention and is not meant to limitthe inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular featuresdescribed herein can be used in combination with other describedfeatures in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.

Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be giventheir broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied fromthe specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in theart and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless otherwise specified.

Efforts to improve the performance of traditional data centers attemptto minimize the cost of processing and storing data. One option that isemployed to reduce operational costs of datacenters is to run theequipment in the datacenter at the high end of its environmentaloperational limits, thereby allowing for cooling of the datacenter to bereduced. In other words, datacenters are running increasingly hot andmore humid conditions than traditional datacenters in an attempt toreduce operating costs. Although this strategy may be effective whenapplied to disk and/or flash data storage environments, magnetic tape ismore susceptible to degradation when exposed to these unfavorableconditions. Therefore, this option is not available for magnetic tapelibraries.

In an effort to control the environment within magnetic tape librariesso as to provide suitable working conditions for magnetic tape media,data storage drives, etc., air conditioning units may be incorporatedinto the data storage libraries themselves. While these air conditioningunits effectively control the temperature and humidity within the datastorage libraries, the environmental conditions of the area surroundingthe data storage libraries remain largely unchanged, with conditionsoften being higher in both temperature and humidity. While this mayallow a datacenter to operate at reduced costs, it may also result in amarked temperature differential between the interior and exteriorenvironments of the data storage libraries. Such a temperaturedifferential may prove problematic during service of the data storagelibrary and/or replacement of data storage library components such asdata storage cartridges, data storage drives, etc., as condensation maydevelop on replacement cartridges and other service parts duringinstallation and/or removal from the data storage library. Condensationaccumulation on such sensitive componentry may cause component failureand/or data loss. Herein, service, service access or service procedureof the data storage library refers to maintenance, repair, adding datastorage cartridges, removing data storage cartridges, or any otherreason that access to the interior of the data storage library may berequired.

FIGS. 1A & 1B and FIG. 2 illustrate an example of a data storage system,e.g., an automated data storage library 10 which stores and retrievesdata storage cartridges, containing data storage media (not shown), frommulti-cartridge deep slot storage cells 100 and single cartridge storageslots 16. Examples of an automated data storage library which has asimilar configuration as that depicted in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, and may beimplemented with some of the various approaches herein may include IBMTS4500 Tape Library or the IBM TS3500 Tape Library.

The library 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A comprises a left handservice bay 13, one or more storage frames 11, and right hand servicebay 14. The library 10 of FIG. 1B comprises a left handed service bay13, one or more storage frames 11, a right handed service bay 14 andoptional environmental conditioning units 1012 which may control thetemperature, humidity and/or other environmental conditions in theinterior of the library 10. While two environmental conditioning unitsare shown in FIG. 1B, it will be appreciated that more or lessenvironmental conditioning units 1012 may be associated with thelibrary, and in circumstances the library may have no environmentalconditioning units. As will be discussed in further detail below, aframe may comprise an expansion component of the library. Thus, storageframes may be added or removed to expand or reduce the size and/orfunctionality of the library. According to different approaches, framesmay include additional storage slots, deep storage slot cells, drives,import/export stations, accessors, operator panels, controller cards,communication cards, etc. Moreover, an accessor aisle 12 preferablyextends between the storage frames and bays of the embodiments in FIGS.1A & 1B thereby allowing an accessor to move between frames. A moveableand/or deployable panel 21 may be displaced to cover and/or block (aswell uncover and/or unblock) aisle 12 from communicating with theexterior of the data storage library. Panel 21 may be moved and/orremoved to permit access to the interior of the service bays 13, 14.Panel 21 may be a window to permit visibility into the library 10.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a storage frame 11, which mayact as the base frame of the library 10. The storage frame 11illustrated in FIG. 2 may have only a single accessor 18 (i.e., thereare no redundant accessors) and no service bay. However, in otherembodiments, a storage frame may include multiple robotic accessorsand/or service bays.

Looking to FIG. 2, the library 10 is arranged for accessing data storagemedia in response to commands from at least one external host system(not shown). The library 10 includes a plurality of storage slots 16 onfront door 17 and a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells 100 onrear wall 19, both of which may be used for storing data storagecartridges that may contain data storage media. According to oneapproach, the storage slots 16 are configured to store a single datastorage cartridge, and the multi-cartridge deep slot cells 100 areconfigured to store a plurality of data storage cartridges. Thearrangement and positioning of the storage slots 16 and the deep slotcells 100 may be different than illustrated in FIG. 2.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the storage frame 11 of the library10 also includes at least one data storage drive 15, e.g., for readingand/or writing data with respect to the data storage media in the datastorage cartridges. Additionally, a first accessor 18 may be used totransport data storage cartridges containing data storage media betweenthe plurality of storage slots 16, the multi-cartridge deep slot cells100, and/or the data storage drive(s) 15. According to variousapproaches, the data storage drives 15 may be optical disk drives,magnetic tape drives, or other types of data storage drives that areused to read and/or write data with respect to the data storage media.

As illustrated, the storage frame 11 may optionally include an operatorpanel or other user interface, such as a web-based interface, whichallows a user to interact with the library 10. Optionally, the library10 may have an associated software application having a user interface,which also allows a user to interact with the library 10. The softwareapplication may be executable on a computing device, a remote server, acloud or a mobile device.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the automated data storage library 10 asdescribed in reference to FIGS. 1A & 1B and FIG. 2, is depictedaccording to one embodiment. According to a preferred approach, thelibrary 10 may employ a controller, e.g., arranged as a distributedsystem of modules with a plurality of processor nodes.

In one approach, the library is controlled, not by a central controller,but rather, by a distributed control system for receiving logicalcommands and converting the commands to physical movements of theaccessor and gripper, and for operating the drives in accordance withthe desired physical movements. The distributed control system may alsoprovide logistical support, such as responding to host requests forelement status, inventory, library status, etc. The specific commands,the conversion of those commands to physical movements of the accessor,gripper, controllers, and other components, and the operation of thedrives may be of a type known to those of skill in the art.

While the automated data storage library 10 has been described asemploying a distributed control system, various other approachesdescribed and/or suggested herein may be implemented in automated datastorage libraries regardless of control configuration, such as, but notlimited to, an automated data storage library having one or more librarycontrollers that are not distributed.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, library 10 receives commands fromone or more host systems 40, 41, 42. The host systems 40, 41, 42, suchas host servers, communicate with the library directly, e.g., on line 80(e.g., path), through one or more control ports (not shown), or throughone or more data storage drives 15 on paths 81, 82. Thus, in differentapproaches, the host systems 40, 41, 42 may provide commands to accessparticular data storage cartridges and move the cartridges, for example,between the storage slots 16, the deep slot cells 100, and the datastorage drives 15. The commands are typically logical commandsidentifying the data storage cartridges or data storage cartridge media,and/or logical locations for accessing the media. Furthermore, it shouldbe noted that the terms “commands” and “work requests” are usedinterchangeably herein to refer to such communications from the hostsystem 40, 41, 42 to the library 10 as are intended to result inaccessing particular data storage media within the library 10 dependingon the desired approach.

According to one embodiment, the library 10 may be controlled by alibrary controller. Moreover, in various approaches, the librarycontroller may include a distributed control system receiving thelogical commands from hosts, determining the required actions, and/orconverting the actions to physical movements of the first and/or secondaccessors 18, 28 and/or gripper assemblies 20, 30. In another approach,the distributed control system may have a plurality of processor nodes,each having one or more computer processors. According to one example ofa distributed control system, a communication processor node 50 may belocated in a storage frame 11. The communication processor node providesa communication link for receiving the host commands, either directly orthrough the drives 15, via at least one external interface, e.g.,coupled to line 80.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the communication processor node 50 is coupledto each of the data storage drives 15 of a storage frame 11, via lines70, and may communicate with the drives 15 and with host systems 40, 41,42. Alternatively, the host systems 40, 41, 42 may be directly coupledto the communication processor node 50, at line 80 (e.g., input) forexample, or to control port devices (not shown) which connect thelibrary to the host system(s) with a library interface similar to thedrive/library interface. As is known to those of skill in the art,various communication arrangements may be employed for communicationwith the hosts and with the data storage drives. In the example of FIG.3, lines 80 and 81 are intended to be Ethernet and a SCSI bus,respectively, and may serve as host connections. However, path 82comprises an example of a Fibre Channel bus which is a high speed serialdata interface, allowing transmission over greater distances than theSCSI bus systems.

According to some approaches, the data storage drives 15 may be in closeproximity to the communication processor node 50, and may employ a shortdistance communication scheme, such as Ethernet, or a serial connection,such as RS-422. Thus, the data storage drives 15 may be individuallycoupled to the communication processor node 50 by lines 70.Alternatively, the data storage drives 15 may be coupled to thecommunication processor node 50 through one or more networks.

Furthermore, additional storage frames 11 may be provided, whereby eachis preferably coupled to the adjacent storage frame. According tovarious approaches, any of the additional storage frames 11 may includecommunication processor nodes 50, storage slots 16, storage cells 100,data storage drives 15, networks 60, etc.

An automated data storage library 10 typically comprises one or morecontrollers to direct the operation of the automated data storagelibrary. Moreover, host computers and data storage drives typicallyinclude similar controllers. A library controller may take manydifferent forms and may comprise, for example, but is not limited to, anembedded system, a distributed control system, a personal computer, aworkstation, etc. The term “library controller” as used herein isintended in its broadest sense as a device that includes at least oneprocessor, and optionally further circuitry and/or logic, forcontrolling and/or providing at least some aspects of libraryoperations.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a typical controller 400 is shown with aprocessor 402, Random Access Memory (RAM) 403, nonvolatile memory 404,device specific circuits 401, and I/O interface 405. Alternatively, theRAM 403 and/or nonvolatile memory 404 may be contained in the processor402 as could the device specific circuits 401 and I/O interface 405. Theprocessor 402 may comprise, for example, an off-the-shelfmicroprocessor, custom processor, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA),Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), discrete logic, etc. TheRAM 403 is typically used to hold variable data, stack data, executableinstructions, etc.

According to various approaches, the nonvolatile memory 404 may compriseany type of nonvolatile memory such as, but not limited to, ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), flash Programmable ReadOnly Memory (PROM), battery backup RAM, hard disk drives, etc. However,the nonvolatile memory 404 is typically used to hold the executablefirmware and any nonvolatile data containing programming instructionsthat can be executed to cause the processor 402 to perform certainfunctions.

In some embodiments, the I/O interface 405 may include a communicationinterface that allows the processor 402 to communicate with devicesexternal to the controller. Examples of the communication interface maycomprise, but are not limited to, serial interfaces such as RS-232, USB(Universal Serial Bus), Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), RS-422or a wireless communication interface such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,near-field communication (NFC) or other wireless interfaces. Thecontroller 400 may communicate with an external device via thecommunication interface 405 in any communication protocols such asAutomation/Drive Interface (ADI).

The device specific circuits 401 provide additional hardware to enablethe controller 400 to perform unique functions including, but notlimited to, motor control of an accessor cartridge gripper. Moreover,the device specific circuits 401 may include electronics that provide,by way of example but not limitation, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)control, Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC), Digital to AnalogConversion (DAC), etc. In addition, all or part of the device specificcircuits 401 may reside outside the controller 400.

While the automated data storage library 10 is described as employing adistributed control system, the various approaches described and/orsuggested herein may be implemented in various automated data storagelibraries regardless of control configuration, including, but notlimited to, an automated data storage library having one or more librarycontrollers that are not distributed. Moreover, a library controller maycomprise one or more dedicated controllers of a library, depending onthe desired embodiment. For example, there may be a primary controllerand a backup controller. In addition, a library controller may compriseone or more processor nodes of a distributed control system. Accordingto one example, communication processor node 50 (e.g., of FIG. 3) maycomprise the library controller while the other processor nodes (ifpresent) may assist the library controller and/or may provide backup orredundant functionality. In another example, communication processornode 50 and work processor node 52 may work cooperatively to form thelibrary controller while the other processor nodes (if present) mayassist the library controller and/or may provide backup or redundantfunctionality. Still further, all of the processor nodes may comprisethe library controller. According to various approaches described and/orsuggested herein, a library controller may have a single processor orcontroller, or it may include multiple processors or controllers, ormultiple cores in a processor chip.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a system 1000 includes a frame 1002 of anautomated data storage library 1004. As described above, automatedlibraries are typically used to store cartridges and drives in largearrays to store large amounts of data. Thus, an interior of frame 1002is illustrated as a tape library in one embodiment, and is depicted asincluding one or more tape drives 1006, an area for storing tapecartridges (e.g., multi-cartridge deep slot cells 1008 and singlecartridge storage slots 1009), and a robotic accessor 1010, among othercomponents which would be apparent to one skilled in the art uponreading the present description (e.g., see FIG. 2 above).

System 1000 further includes an optional environmental conditioning unit1012 associated with the frame 1002. The environmental conditioning unit1012 may be integrated with and coupled to frame 1002. For the purposesof the present disclosure, it is to be understood that an environmentalconditioning unit may be any device which conditions the air and/or thesurrounding environment and is able to change the environmentalconditions. The environmental conditions may include (but are notlimited to) temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. In one embodiment, theenvironmental conditioning unit may be an air-conditioning unit. Inother embodiments, the environmental conditioning unit may be athermo-electric heater, a thermo-electric cooler, an electric heater, aliquid heater, a liquid cooler, a heat pump, an evaporative cooler, anionizer, a de-ionizer, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, one or more fans,or any combination thereof. An environmental conditioning unit inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure may increase ordecrease the temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. The environmentalconditioning unit 1012 may be coupled to an upper surface 1014 (e.g.,the roof) of the frame 1002 as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 5. Theenvironmental conditioning unit 1012 preferably operates withoutnegatively affecting the operating conditions in the frame 1002.Alternatively, an environmental conditioning unit may be functionallyassociated with the frame 1002 by positioning the environmentalconditioning unit elsewhere and using ducts to route the air to theinterior of the frame 1002, coupling the environmental conditioning unitto a side of the frame 1002, coupling the environmental conditioningunit to a bottom of the frame 1002 (underneath the frame 1002), etc.,depending on the desired approach.

The environmental conditioning unit 1012 is preferably configured suchthat it may adjust, change and/or regulate the relative conditions(e.g., temperature, humidity, contaminant presence via filtering, etc.)inside the frame 1002. Thus, according to different approaches, theenvironmental conditioning unit may be able to reduce the temperature ofthe interior of the frame 1002 and/or reduce the relative humidity ofthe interior of the frame 1002, depending on the type of environmentalconditioning unit 1012 employed. The environmental conditioning unit1012 is preferably configured to turn on and off as desired to maintaina selected temperature and/or humidity in the interior of the frame1002. Alternatively, the environmental conditioning unit may have a fanand the fan can be left always on to keep air circulating within theinterior of the frame. In one embodiment, the environmental conditioningunit may be an air conditioning unit and the fan may be continuously onand the condenser may turn on and off to maintain a selected temperatureand/or humidity in the interior of the frame 1002.

As would be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the environmentalconditioning unit 1012 may be an air conditioning unit and may be ableto adjust the relative temperature and/or humidity of the interior ofthe frame 1002 in a conventional manner. Cold air may flow into theinterior of the frame 1002 via an inlet air duct 1030 which may connectthe environmental conditioning unit 1012 to the interior of the frame1002, and form an inlet 1035 in the upper surface 1014 of the frame1002. Specifically, an inlet air duct 1030 may direct the air cooled bythe environmental conditioning unit 1012 into the interior of the frame1002, e.g., where the majority of the data storage media may be stored.As a result, air flow is created from the environmental conditioningunit 1012 to the interior of the frame 1002, as indicated by arrows1024. This air flow may be induced by a fan included in the airconditioning unit 1012 and/or by using the fans in the one or more tapedrives 1006 in the frame 1002. Although the air flow is preferablydirected from the environmental conditioning unit 1012 to the interiorof the frame 1002, and from the interior of the frame 1002 back to theenvironmental conditioning unit 1012, the particular path that the airflow is shown as extending along in the present embodiment by arrows1024 is in no way intended to limit the disclosure or the invention.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, system 1000 may include an enclosure1020 for the environmental conditioning unit 1012. An additional fan1040 may be included in the enclosure 1020 for passing ambient air overexternal components of the environmental conditioning unit 1012 tofurther promote heating, cooling and/or conditioning of the air.Moreover, the enclosure 1020 may include an opening, a baffle orbaffles, etc. to direct ambient air exterior to the library 1004 towardan inlet 1022 of the environmental conditioning unit 1012.

In one embodiment, any vents, voids, seams, etc. in the frame 1002 ofthe library 1004, other than inlet 1035 and an outlet 1032 in an uppersurface 1014 of the frame 1002, are preferably sealed such that air fromoutside the frame 1002 is restricted from entering the interior thereof.The frame 1002 may be sealed using any processes which would be apparentto one skilled in the art upon reading the present description, e.g.,including but not limited to inserting foam, implementing insulatingseals, etc. New frames may be built without any vents, voids, seams,etc. The housing and panels enclosing the frame 1002 may also beinsulated to prevent or inhibit unconditioned air from entering theframe 1002.

The frame 1002 may also include one or more environmental sensors 1050exterior to the library 1004 and may also include one or more sensors1055 exterior to the library 1004 but inside the enclosure 1020 for theenvironmental conditioning unit 1012. In one embodiment the sensors 1055may be located in front of inlet 1022 of the environmental conditioningunit 1012. The environmental sensors 1050, 1055 may be any sensorappropriate for determining the environmental conditions at the sensorlocation, such as one or more temperature sensors, one or more humiditysensors, one or more pressure sensors, etc. The one or moreenvironmental sensors 1050, 1055 may be in communication with a librarycontroller, such as library controller 400 shown and described withrespect to FIG. 4. The one or more signals provided by the environmentalsensors 1050, 1055 may be utilized to control the output and operationof the environmental conditioning unit 1012. Although the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5 includes a single frame 1002 and a singleenvironmental conditioning unit 1012, other embodiments may includeadditional frames and/or environmental conditioning units.

System 1000 illustrated in FIG. 5 may further comprise one or moreenvironmental sensors 1028 disposed within the interior of the library1002. The environmental sensor(s) may be any appropriate sensor fordetermining the environmental conditions within the frame 1002, such asone or more temperature sensors, one or more humidity sensors, one ormore pressure sensors, etc. The one or more environmental sensors 1028may be in communication with a library controller, such as controller400 shown and described with respect to FIG. 4. As such, the signalprovided by the one or more environmental sensors 1028 may be utilizedto control the output and operation of the environmental conditioningunit 1012.

Although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a single frame1002 and a single environmental conditioning unit 1012, otherembodiments may include additional frames and/or environmentalconditioning units.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a rear perspective view of frame 1002 isillustrated. The rear portion of frame 1002 comprises a hinged rear door1065, wherein door 1065 allows for access to various library componentswithin an interior portion 1072 of frame 1002, such as, e.g., powersupplies, data storage drives, library controller cards, cables, etc.While not shown, it is to be understood that frame 1002 may additionallyor alternatively include a front door or panel that allows for access tovarious library components therein, such as, e.g., storage slots,robotic accessors, etc., and/or one or more side doors or access panelswhich allow for service access. Door 1065 includes a bottom door frameportion 1066 and a top door frame portion 1067, and door 1065 is coupledto the frame 1002 via one or more hinges 1074. However, door 1065 may becoupled to frame 1002 via any appropriate connecting means. When closed,respective surfaces of door 1065 may rest along a bottom frame portion1068, top frame portion 1069, and side frame portion 1070 such that theinterior portion 1072 is no longer accessible and substantiallyprotected from the outer environment. A gap 1071 may be present betweenthe bottom frame portion 1066 and the floor upon which the frame 1002sits, allowing for adjustment, airflow, and sufficient clearance forframe 1002.

While a data storage library having an associated and/or integratedenvironmental conditioning unit advantageously controls theenvironmental conditions within the library, some challenges may existwhen components within such a data storage library need to be servicedor replaced. As noted above, many data centers are now maintained athigher temperatures and higher humidity levels to reduce the costsrelating to cooling the environment where the data storage library islocated, e.g., the data center. For this reason, environmentalconditions of the data center may be substantially different from thosewithin a data storage library having an associated environmentalconditioning unit which controls the environmental conditions within thedata storage library. As such, opening an access door to the datastorage library may introduce an influx of air from the data center intothe conditioned environment of the data storage library, potentiallycausing and/or resulting in undesirable conditions (e.g., the formationand/or accumulation of condensation on various surfaces) within the datastorage library. For example, moisture accumulation on surfaces ofsensitive components such as data storage cartridges and data storagedrives is undesirable, as condensation potentially may lead to equipmentdamage, up to and including failure of the components and/or data loss.

Thus, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus, forexample a movable barrier, is provided that may be configured, arranged,and transformable to at least partially surround an access opening of adata storage library. The data storage library may comprise anassociated environmental conditioning unit (e.g., an air conditioningunit). The barrier may permit an access door or other access panel ofthe data storage library to be opened in a manner that inhibits,impedes, resists, and/or prevents an influx of air from the surroundingdata center into the interior of the data storage library. Thus, thebarrier may resist, impede, inhibit, and/or prevent contaminants (e.g.,dust, dirt, smoke, ash, etc.), thermal shock and/or condensationformation and/or accumulation on sensitive componentry during serviceand/or maintenance procedures due to wide variations in environmentalconditions between the interior of the data storage library and theexterior of the data storage library, e.g. the data center.

Referring to FIG. 7, a service access system 2000 in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Service access system2000 comprises a flexible barrier 2001 configured to substantiallysurround an opening formed by open door 1065 of a data storage libraryframe 1002. While FIG. 7 only shows library frame 1002 comprising asingle library frame, it is to be understood that library frame 1002 maycomprise a plurality of frames, such as that which is illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1B. Library frame(s) 1002 may comprise conventional datastorage library componentry, similar to that which is found in library10 described above with respect to FIG. 2. For instance, one or more oflibrary frames 1002 may comprise a plurality of storage slots to holddata storage cartridges associated with data storage media, one or moredata storage drives to read and/or write data associated with the mediaassociated with the data storage cartridges, and one or more roboticaccessors. Furthermore, data storage library frame(s) 1002 comprises oneor more environmental conditioning units within an enclosure 1020, suchas that which is described above with respect to data storage library 10in FIG. 1B and 1004 in FIG. 5. The environmental conditioning unit(s)may control one or more environmental conditions (e.g., temperatureand/or humidity) within the library frame(s) 1002. In one embodiment, itis contemplated that the data storage library will be a tape librarywhich may include tape cartridges, tape drives, and accessors. However,the data storage library may be any storage or information technologyequipment which requires a maintained environment therein, such as datacenter server racks, etc.

As noted above, service access system 2000 comprises a barrier 2001adapted and configured to substantially and/or entirely surround theaccess opening of data storage library frame(s) 1002, which preferablypermits access to the data storage library in a manner that separates,insulates, and/or isolates environmental conditions from exterior of thedata storage library from intruding the data storage library duringaccess (e.g., to insert or remove media, for a service and/ormaintenance procedure, etc.) while also providing an accessible workspace when door 1065 is opened. As shown in FIG. 7, barrier 2001 ismounted between door 1065 and bottom frame portion 1068, top frameportion 1069, and side frame portion 1070 of frame 1002 so as tosubstantially surround the access opening of frame 1002 when door 1065is opened. Barrier 2001 may comprise a sidewall portion 2002 made of aflexible material, such as nylon, polyester, canvas, cotton, silk,plastic, foil, or any other suitable material, for example, asubstantially non-porous material capable of resisting or impedingexterior environmental conditions from intruding into the interior ofthe chamber formed by the barrier 2001. Alternatively, sidewall portion2002 may be formed of a semi-rigid or rigid material, such as plastic,metal, reinforced fabric, carbon fiber, etc. Furthermore, barrier 2001may comprise multiple layers and/or multiple different materials so asto provide various insulating properties, waterproofness, etc.

Barrier 2001 further includes a top portion 2006 and bottom skirtportion 2008. Top portion 2006 and bottom skirt portion 2008 may beformed of the same material as sidewall portion 2002. However, even ifsidewall portion 2002 is formed of a flexible material, one or both oftop portion 2006 and bottom skirt portion 2008 may be formed of a morerigid material, as there may be additional space above and below libraryframe 1002 for storage of such rigid structures, as will be furtherdetailed below.

One side of sidewall portion 2002 may be coupled to the unhinged openend of door 1065, while the other side of sidewall portion 2002 may becoupled to a retracting barrier storage mechanism 2005, which may beaffixed at or near the side frame portion 1070 of frame 1002. Barrierstorage mechanism 2005 may operate similar to a retractable window shademechanism, wherein the sidewall portion 2002 of barrier 2001 may becompactly rolled within barrier storage mechanism 2005 when door 1065 isclosed. However, when door 1065 is opened, sidewall portion 2002 may beextended and/or deployed from barrier storage mechanism 2005 so as toform a work space and/or chamber in the area between sidewall portion2002 and the access opening of library frame 1002, thereby increasingthe volumetric space inside the barrier system enclosure to work on thedata storage library while protecting the library's interiorenvironment. While barrier storage mechanism 2005 is shown as mounted ator near the side frame portion 1070 of single frame 1002, it is to beunderstood that barrier storage mechanism 2005 may be mounted elsewhereon the data storage library. For example, if frame 1002 is not a singleframe or an end frame in a multi-frame data storage library, barrierstore mechanism 2005 may be located between adjacent frames in themulti-frame data storage library. In another example, barrier storemechanism 2005 may be located at door 1065 or there may not be a barrierstore mechanism 2005. Herein, barrier store, barrier store mechanism,and barrier storage mechanism may all refer to the same component ormechanism.

Bottom skirt portion 2008, which extends along the bottom portion ofbarrier 2001, may aid in preventing air from entering or escaping in thegap formed between the sidewall portion 2002 and the floor of the room(e.g., the data center) when door 1065 is opened. In one aspect, bottomskirt portion 2008 may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material andmay slide below frame 1002 (i.e., in gap 1071 shown in FIG. 6) when door1065 is closed. Alternatively, in accordance with another aspect, bottomskirt portion 2008 may be integrated into the material which formssidewall portion 2002. In such a configuration, barrier storagemechanism 2005 may extend to the floor of the room, as opposed to onlyto the bottom surface of the frame 1002.

In addition to bottom skirt portion 2008, a door sweep or door skirt1073 may be attached along the length of bottom frame portion 1066 ofdoor 1065. Similar to bottom skirt portion 2008, door skirt 1073 may aidin preventing air from entering or escaping below a gap between bottomframe portion 1066 and the floor. Door skirt 1073 may be formed of anyappropriate material, including flexible, semi-rigid, or rigidmaterials. Herein, door skirt 1073 may comprise anything that provides apartial or full environmental seal between the bottom of a door 1065 andthe floor upon which the library rests (e.g., a skirt, door sweep,hanging flap(s), hanging slot(s), air curtain, etc.). Furthermore, whilenot shown, a skirt similar to door skirt 1073 may also be disposed belowthe access opening of frame 1002 when barrier 2001 is in place so as toblock air from entering or exiting the chamber formed by the barrierthrough gap 1071 located below frame 1002.

Top portion 2006 of barrier 2001 may extend from the top frame portion1069 (shown in FIG. 6) of library frame 1002 to top door frame portion1067 when door 1065 is opened. Top portion 2006 of barrier 2001 may beformed of any appropriate material. In one aspect, top portion 2006 maybe formed of a semi-rigid material which pivots about the same axis asdoor 1065 when door 1065 is opened and closed. When door 1065 is closed,top portion 2006 may be stored within the interior of frame 1002 or,alternatively, top portion may be stored outside of frame 1002, such asbetween enclosure 1020 and frame 1002. Additionally and/oralternatively, top portion 2006 may be formed of a flexible orsubstantially flexible material which collapses when door 1065 is closedand opens when door 1065 is opened.

Sidewall portion 2002 may further comprise one or more access ports2004. While shown as running vertically along a middle section ofsidewall portion 2002, it is to be understood that access port 2004 maybe located anywhere along sidewall portion 2002, and may also beconfigured non-vertically (e.g., diagonally or horizontally). Accessport 2004 may include one or more doors, hanging panels, sliding panels,hinged panels, flaps, curtains, hanging slats, split membrane, aircurtains, or any other suitable device or method of inhibiting,resisting, and/or preventing environmental contamination betweenseparate spaces. In one aspect, the environmental access barriersubstantially seals access port 2004 before and/or after entry of atechnician or other personnel within barrier 2001. The access port 2004may be closed via, for example, one or more zippers or other suitableclosure mechanisms.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, to accessing the interior of frame1002 via access port 2004, access may be gained by temporarily detaching(and then reattaching) barrier store mechanism 2005 from frame 1002, orby temporarily detaching (and then reattaching) sidewall portion 2002from barrier store mechanism 2005. Similarly, access may be gained bytemporarily detaching (and then reattaching) sidewall portion 2002 fromdoor 1065.

By providing barrier 2001 having an access port 2004, a technician orother personnel may open door 1065 and enter the conditioned environmentof the data storage library to access user interfaces of the library,bulk load data storage cartridges, service the library (e.g., replacedefective components, add optional components, etc.), or for any otherreason while substantially inhibiting an influx of external air into (orescape of conditioned air out of) the data storage library. In this wayfor example, warm, humid air from outside the data storage library maybe inhibited or prevented from entering the interior portions of thedata storage library, thereby inhibiting, impeding or preventing theformation of condensation on components therein.

While FIG. 7 shows that barrier 2001 may be automatically deployed whendoor 1065 is opened, it is to be understood that, in accordance with analternative aspect of the disclosure, barrier 2001 may itself be thedoor to the frame 1002. Thus, the technician or other personnel enteringthe interior of the data storage library would need only operate thebarrier 2001 in order to gain access into the interior of the datastorage library.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, service access system 3000 according toanother aspect of the disclosure is illustrated. System 3000 comprises abarrier 3001 adapted and configured to substantially and/or entirelysurround the access opening of data storage library frame(s) 1002, whichpreferably permits access to the data storage library in a manner thatseparates, insulates, and/or isolates environmental conditions fromexterior of the data storage library from intruding the data storagelibrary during a service and/or maintenance procedure, while alsoproviding an accessible work space when door 1065 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 8, barrier 3001, like barrier 2001, may be mountedbetween door 1065 and bottom frame portion 1068, top frame portion 1069,and side frame portion 1070 of frame 1002 so as to substantiallysurround the access opening of frame 1002 when door 1065 is opened.However, unlike barrier 2001, various components of barrier 3001 may beformed of a plurality of overlapping, sliding panels, similar to thosefound in an airport luggage carousel. Specifically, barrier 2001 maycomprise a plurality of overlapping side panels 3002, overlapping skirtpanels 3008, and overlapping top panels 3006. When door 1065 is closed,side panels 3002 and/or skirt panels 3008 may be housed in a stackedformation within a barrier storage mechanism 3005. On the other hand,when door 1065 is opened, the overlapping panels may extend so as toform an environmentally-protected work space around the access openingof frame 1002. Side panels 3002, skirt panels 3008, and top panels 3006may be formed of the same or different materials.

While not shown, side panels 3002 may include an access port or,alternatively and/or additionally, access may be gained into frame 1002by disconnecting (and then reconnecting) one or more side panels fromthe barrier store 3005 and/or the door 1065, and/or disconnecting (andthen reconnecting) the barrier store from the frame 1002. It is to beunderstood that barrier storage mechanism 3005 may be located elsewhere(e.g., at door 1065) or there may not be a barrier store mechanism 3005.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a service access system 4000 in accordance withanother aspect of the disclosure is illustrated. System 4000 comprises abarrier 4001 adapted and configured to substantially and/or entirelysurround the access opening of data storage library frame(s) 1002, whichpreferably permits access to the data storage library in a manner thatseparates, insulates, and/or isolates environmental conditions fromexterior of the data storage library from intruding the data storagelibrary during a service and/or maintenance procedure, while alsoproviding an accessible work space when door 1065 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 9, barrier 4001, like barriers 2001 and 3001, may bemounted between door 1065 and bottom frame portion 1068, top frameportion 1069, and side frame portion 1070 of frame 1002 so as tosubstantially surround the access opening of frame 1002 when door 1065is opened. However, unlike barriers 2001 and 3001, various components ofbarrier 4001 may be formed of a folded panel, similar to those found inan accordion. Specifically, barrier 4001 may include one or morefoldable side panels 4002, foldable skirt panels 4008, and foldable toppanels 4006. When door 1065 is closed, side panel(s) 4002 and/or skirtpanel(s) 4008 may be housed in a folded, stacked formation within abarrier storage mechanism 4005. On the other hand, when door 1065 isopened, the panel(s) may extend so as to form anenvironmentally-protected work space around the access opening of frame1002. Side panel(s) 4002, skirt panel(s) 4008, and top panel(s) 4006 maybe formed of the same or different materials. Furthermore, foldable toppanel(s) 4006 may be stored within the interior of frame 1002 or,alternatively, foldable top panel(s) 4006 may be stored outside of frame1002, such as between enclosure 1020 and frame 1002. Herein, a foldedpanel may comprise a single folded panel, a stack of folded panels, aseries of connected panels that provide folds, or any other method ofproviding a compressible barrier comprising folding.

While not shown, side panels 4002 may include an access port for accessthrough barrier 4001 or, alternatively and/or additionally, access maybe gained into frame 1002 by disconnecting (and then reconnecting) oneor more side panels from the barrier store mechanism 4005 and/or thedoor 1065, and/or disconnecting (and then reconnecting) the barrierstore mechanism 4005 from the frame 1002. It is to be understood thatbarrier store mechanism 4005 may be located elsewhere (e.g., at door1065) or there may not be a barrier store mechanism 4005.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a service access system 5000 in accordancewith another aspect of the disclosure is illustrated. System 5000comprises a barrier 5001 adapted and configured to substantially and/orentirely surround the access opening of data storage library frame(s)1002, which preferably permits access to the data storage library in amanner that separates, insulates, and/or isolates environmentalconditions from exterior of the data storage library from intruding thedata storage library during a service and/or maintenance procedure,while also providing an accessible work space when door 1065 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 10, barrier 5001, like barriers 2001, 3001, and 4001,may be mounted between door 1065 and bottom frame portion 1068, topframe portion 1069, and side frame portion 1070 of frame 1002 so as tosubstantially surround the access opening of frame 1002 when door 1065is opened. However, unlike barriers 2001, 3001, and 4001, variouscomponents of barrier 5001 may be formed as hanging slats or flaps,similar to those found in vertical window blinds, or those found incold-storage areas. Specifically, barrier 5001 may include a pluralityof hanging panels 5002, hanging skirt panels 5008, and hanging toppanels 5006. In the case of hanging top panels 5006, each end of toppanels 5006 may be anchored and/or the panels 5006 may be formed of asufficiently rigid material to prevent the panels from drooping whenbarrier 5001 is deployed. Alternatively, top panels 5006 and/or skirtpanels 5008 may be formed similarly to overlapping top panels 3006and/or overlapping skirt panels 3008, as described above with respect toFIG. 8. Still further, top panels 5006 and/or skirt panels 5008 may beformed similarly to foldable skirt panels 4008, and foldable top panels4006, as described above with respect to FIG. 9. Hanging panels 5002,may extend all the way to the floor, thereby eliminating the need forskirt panels 5008. Side panels 5002, skirt panels 5008, and top panels5006 may be formed of the same or different materials.

When door 1065 is closed, side panels 5002 and/or skirt panels 5008 maybe housed in a folded, stacked formation within a barrier storagemechanism 5005. On the other hand, when door 1065 is opened, the hangingpanels may extend so as to form an environmentally-protected work spacearound the access opening of frame 1002. Barrier 5001 does notnecessarily need to be fully sealed, as hanging panels 5002 may besufficient to impede exterior environmental conditions from intrudinginto the chamber formed by the hanging panels and/or substantiallymaintain the environment within the data storage library while door 1065is opened, even if small amounts of external air are allowed to enterthe chamber formed by the hanging panels and/or the data storagelibrary, and/or small amounts of internal air are allowed to escape. Inone aspect, the environmental conditioning unit may be configured toovercome any such minimal losses due to this minor leakage.

While not shown, access may be gained into frame 1002 by simplyseparating adjacent hanging side panels 5002. The hanging side panels5002 should naturally return to a “closed” position after entry (orexit) of a technician within the work space.

Additionally, it is to be understood that any features of theembodiments shown and described with respect to FIGS. 7-10 may beinterchanged and/or combined. For example, barrier store mechanism 2005shown in FIG. 7 may be utilized with skirt panels 3008 shown in FIG. 8and top panels 4006 shown in FIG. 9. Other configurations andcombinations are contemplated.

Furthermore, certain features of the barrier may be omitted withoutunduly effecting the performance of the overall system. For example, insome embodiments, skirts 2008, 3008, 4008, and/or 5008 may be omitted.Also, in some embodiments, top panels 2006, 3006, 4006, and/or 5006 maybe omitted. Door skirt 1073 may also be omitted. In such embodiments,the environmental conditioning unit(s) may provide sufficienttemperature regulation and/or positive air pressure so as to overcomeany losses due to the omitted barrier features. Likewise, door 1065 maynot need to be opened for an extended period of time, thereby reducingany losses realized due to the omitted barrier features.

While the embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 7-10 pertainto various barrier configurations in which the barrier is deployed (andundeployed) via the opening and closing of door 1065, it is to beunderstood that any of the barriers shown and described in FIGS. 7-10may be attached (and, therefore, deployed) only after opening door 1065,and may similarly be removed prior to the closing of door 1065. In theseembodiments, the barrier would not be automatically extended/deployedthrough the action of opening door 1065, and it would not automaticallyretract through the action of closing door 1065. Additionally, thebarrier may be removed from door 1065 and/or frame 1002 when not in use.As such, as opposed to being a permanent or semi-permanent feature ofthe data storage library, the barrier may be a temporary device that ismounted and utilized only when access into the interior of the datastorage library is needed. Furthermore, the barrier may be operatedindependently of door 1065. That is, the door may not automaticallydeploy the barrier upon opening. Instead, the technician may deploy thebarrier in a separate step, after the door 1065 has already been opened.Likewise, the technician may retract and/or remove the barrier in a stepprior to closing the door 1065. It will be appreciated that the barriersystem is configured and adapted to be combinable with the data storageaccess door and the surrounding frame to provide an enclosure and/orchamber between the library access door and the library frame, andparticularly the library access opening associated with the libraryaccess door, when the library access door is opened. The barrier systemresists, impedes, inhibits and/or prevents environmental conditions fromexterior of the data storage library from intruding into the chamberand/or interior of the data storage library. Alternatively oradditionally, the barrier system resists, impedes, inhibits and/orprevents conditioned air from escaping to the exterior of the datastorage library.

Next, processes for accessing a data storage library in a manner thatinhibits, restricts and/or prevents environmental conditions exterior ofthe library from intruding into the interior of the library aredisclosed, which may be useful, for example, when providing servicewithin the data storage library. In one embodiment, a barrier isprovided and erected to surround at least one access opening of a datastorage library and provide an environmental blockade to inhibit,restrict, impede, and/or prevent environmental conditions exterior ofthe library from intruding into the interior of the library. The barrierpreferably forms a work space which increases the volumetric capacity ofconditioned space available for the technician to provide service withinthe data storage library.

Referring to FIG. 11, a process 6000 for accessing a data storagelibrary to perform a service procedure therein according to oneembodiment is disclosed. While process 6000 may be considered for thesake of convenience and not with the intent of limiting the disclosureas comprising a series and/or number of steps, it is to be understoodthat the process does not need be performed as a series of steps and/orthe steps do not need to be performed in the order shown and describedwith respect to FIG. 11, but may be performed as an integrated process,or a series of steps, in the order described or in an alternative order.It is to be understood that the library may be operational, partiallyoperational, or fully operational during a service procedure. At 6002, adata storage library is provided, with the data storage library havingat least one door capable of selectively opening and closing at leastone access opening to the data storage library. As detailed above, theat least one door and the at least one access opening may be located ona front, rear, or side surface of the data storage library. At 6004, thedata storage library may be provided with at least one environmentalconditioning unit, which may be fluidly coupled to the interior of thedata storage library so as to regulate and/or control one or moreenvironmental conditions therein.

At 6006, at least one barrier is provided, with the at least one barriercoupled between the at least one door and the data storage library so asto form a work space that is substantially insulated and/or isolatedfrom the outside environment. In one aspect the barrier resists,impedes, inhibits and/or prevents exterior environmental conditions,e.g. exterior air, from intruding into the workspace. The barrierpreferably extends between the access door and the door frame of thedata storage library. As detailed above, the at least one barrier may becoupled to the door such that opening of the door automatically deploysthe at least one barrier, thereby increasing the volumetric work spaceavailable for a technician to perform a service procedure. However, at6008, the at least one door is maintained in a closed position duringnormal library operation, thereby maintaining the at least one barrierin an undeployed and/or retracted position, as well.

At 6010, a determination is made whether or not a service procedure isneeded within the data storage library. The determination may be made bya technician based on, for example, routine scheduled maintenance,repair, bulk load/unload of data storage cartridges, etc. or it may bemade automatically by a library controller. If no, the at least one dooris maintained in a closed position. However, if yes, the at least onedoor is opened, thereby automatically deploying the at least one barrierbetween the door and the data storage library, preferably the door frameopening at 6012. Alternatively, the barrier may be deployed manually.With the barrier deployed, the interior space formed by the at least onebarrier may be accessed at 6014. For example, the interior of thebarrier may be accessed by entering an opening formed on a side of theat least one barrier at 6016. The opening may have a door, flap, slats,split membrane, air curtain, zipper and/or other barrier or closuremechanism to close the opening. In one embodiment, the opening may besubstantially sealable. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the interiorof the barrier may be accessed by separating one or more coupling pointsof the at least one barrier to another location on the barrier, the datastorage library and/or to the at least one door at 6018. The interior ofthe data storage library is accessed via the access opening of the atleast one data storage library at 6020, thereby enabling a serviceand/or maintenance procedure to be performed within the data storagelibrary while minimizing and/or preventing the intrusion ofunconditioned air from the external environment (e.g., the data center)into the data storage library.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a process 7000 for accessing the interior of adata storage library to perform a service procedure according to anotherembodiment is disclosed. While process 7000 may be considered for thesake of convenience and not with the intent of limiting the disclosureas comprising a series and/or number of steps, it is to be understoodthat the process does not need to be performed as a series of stepsand/or the steps do not need to be performed in the order shown anddescribed with respect to FIG. 12, but may be performed as an integratedprocess, or a series of steps, in the order described or in analternative order. It is to understood that the library may beoperational, partially operational, or fully operational during theservice procedure. At 7002, a data storage library is provided, with thedata storage library having at least one door capable of selectivelyopening and closing at least one access opening to the data storagelibrary. As detailed above, the at least one door and the at least oneaccess opening may be located on a front, rear, or side surface of thedata storage library. At 7004, the data storage library may be providedwith at least one environmental conditioning unit, which may be fluidlycoupled to the interior of the data storage library so as to regulateone or more environmental conditions therein. At 7006, the at least onedoor is maintained in a closed position during normal library operation,thereby substantially preventing environmental conditions from outsidethe data storage library from entering the interior of the data storagelibrary.

At 7008, a determination is made whether or not a service procedure isneeded within the data storage library. The determination may be made bya technician based on, for example, routine scheduled maintenance,repair, bulk load/unload of data storage cartridges, etc. or it may bemade automatically by a library controller. If no, the at least one dooris maintained in a closed position. However, if yes, the at least onedoor is opened at 7010. Then, at 7012, with the at least one dooropened, at least one barrier is erected between the at least one doorand the data storage library, preferably the frame of the data storagelibrary opening, so as to form a work space that is substantiallyinsulated and/or isolated from the outside environment. In one aspect,the barrier resists, impedes, inhibits, and/or prevents exteriorenvironmental conditions, e.g., external air, from intruding into theworkspace. The barrier preferably extends between the access door (theaccess door forming a portion of the barrier) and the door frame of thedata storage library. As detailed above, the at least one barrier may becoupled between surfaces of the door and the data storage library so asto increase the volumetric work space available for a technician toperform a service procedure. With the barrier erected, the interiorspace formed by the at least one barrier may be accessed at 7014. Forexample, the interior of the barrier may be accessed by entering anopening formed on a side of the at least one barrier at 7016. Theopening may have a door, flap, slats, and/or other barrier, or zipperand/or closure mechanism to close the opening. In one embodiment theopening may be substantially sealable. Alternatively and/oradditionally, the interior of the barrier may be accessed by separatingone or more coupling points of the at least one barrier to anotherlocation on the barrier, the data storage library and/or to the at leastone door at 7018. Finally, the interior of the data storage library isaccessed via the access opening of the at least one data storage libraryat 7020, thereby enabling bulk load/unload of data storage cartridges, aservice and/or maintenance procedure, etc., to be performed within thedata storage library while minimizing and/or preventing the intrusion ofunconditioned air from the external environment (e.g., the data center)into the data storage library.

It follows that various embodiments described and/or suggested hereinare able to provide data storage systems, and optionally, automated datastorage libraries having environmental control capabilities associatedwith the automated data storage library, with at least one barriersystem capable of providing an environmentally-controlled access point.As a result, favorable conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, absenceof contaminants, etc.) may be provided and/or substantially maintainedfor the data storage drives, data storage cartridges, and/or datastorage media which may be stored in the library frame, even duringservice procedures in which the access door(s) or panel(s) of thelibrary frame must be opened. Condensation formation and/or accumulationon the media (and its subsequent effect on contacting devices) may alsobe resisted, impeded, inhibited, and preferably avoided. Inhibiting andsubstantially avoiding the formation and accumulation of condensationand moisture may be particularly beneficial for tape libraries, tapecartridges and tape media.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

Moreover, a system according to various embodiments may include aprocessor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor,the logic being configured to perform one or more of the process stepsrecited herein. By integrated with, what is meant is that the processorhas logic embedded therewith as hardware logic, such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array(FPGA), etc. By executable by the processor, what is meant is that thelogic is hardware logic; software logic such as firmware, part of anoperating system, part of an application program; etc., or somecombination of hardware and software logic that is accessible by theprocessor and configured to cause the processor to perform somefunctionality upon execution by the processor. Software logic may bestored on local and/or remote memory of any memory type, as known in theart. Any processor known in the art may be used, such as a softwareprocessor module and/or a hardware processor such as an ASIC, a FPGA, acentral processing unit (CPU), an integrated circuit (IC), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), etc.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode may include at least one processor, which may be or be part of acontroller, coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through asystem bus, such as controller 400 of FIG. 4. The memory elements caninclude local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, such as nonvolatile memory 404 of FIG. 4, bulk storage, and cachememories which provide temporary storage of at least some program codein order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulkstorage during execution.

It will be clear that the various features of the foregoing systemsand/or methodologies may be combined in any way, creating a plurality ofcombinations from the descriptions presented above.

It will be further appreciated that embodiments of the present inventionmay be provided in the form of a service deployed on behalf of acustomer to offer service on demand.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of restricting environmental conditionsexternal to a data storage library from intruding into the interior ofthe data storage library, the method comprising: providing at least oneaccess opening in the data storage library, wherein the at least oneaccess opening permits access to an interior of the data storagelibrary; providing at least one access door associated with the at leastone access opening, wherein the at least one access door comprises ahinged first end coupled to a portion of the data storage library and anunhinged second end; providing at least one barrier having a sidewallportion, the at least one barrier configured to at least partiallysurround at least one library access opening when the at least oneaccess door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier is configuredand constructed to restrict environmental conditions from the exteriorof the library from intruding into the interior of the data storagelibrary; coupling a first side of the sidewall portion of the at leastone barrier to the unhinged second end of the at least one access door,and coupling a second side of the sidewall portion to the data storagelibrary; and deploying the at least one barrier in response to openingthe at least one access door.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereindeploying the at least one barrier comprises automatically deploying theat least one barrier in response to opening the at least one accessdoor.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the at least onebarrier comprises manually deploying the at least one barrier after orduring the process of the opening of the at least one access door. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the sidewall portionof the at least one barrier in a barrier storage compartment when the atleast one access door is closed.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising deploying a bottom skirt below the sidewall portion of the atleast one barrier when the at least one access door is opened.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising accessing the at least one accessopening of the data storage library through at least one opening formedin at least one sidewall of the at least one barrier.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising accessing the at least one access opening ofthe data storage library by separating a coupling of the at least onebarrier from at least one of the at least one access door and the datastorage library.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprisingmaintaining the at least one access door in a closed position when aservice procedure is not taking place.
 9. A method of restrictingenvironmental conditions external to a data storage library fromintruding into the interior of the data storage library, the methodcomprising: providing at least one access opening in the data storagelibrary, wherein the at least one access opening permits access to aninterior of the data storage library; providing at least one access doorassociated with the at least one access opening, wherein the at leastone access door comprises a hinged first end coupled to a portion of thedata storage library and an unhinged second end; providing at least onebarrier configured to at least partially surround the at least onelibrary access opening when the at least one access door is opened,wherein the at least one barrier comprises at least a first surfaceoperatively coupled to at least a portion of the unhinged second end ofthe at least one access door and at least a second surface operativelycoupled to at least a portion of the data storage library; andautomatically deploying the at least one barrier in response to anopening the at least one access door.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinthe at least one barrier comprises at least one sidewall portion havingat least a first surface operatively coupled to at least a portion ofthe unhinged second end of the at least one access door and at least asecond surface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the datastorage library.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising storingthe at least one sidewall portion of the at least one barrier in abarrier storage compartment when the at least one access door is closed.12. The method of claim 10, further comprising automatically deploying abottom skirt below the at least one sidewall portion of the at least onebarrier and a top portion above the at least one sidewall portion whenthe at least one access door is opened.
 13. The method of claim 9,further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the datastorage library through at least one opening formed in at least onesidewall of the at least one barrier.
 14. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising accessing the at least one access opening of the data storagelibrary by separating a coupling of the at least one barrier from atleast one of the at least one access door and the data storage library.15. A method of restricting environmental conditions external to a datastorage library from intruding into the interior of the data storagelibrary, the method comprising: providing at least one access opening inthe data storage library, wherein the at least one access openingpermits access to an interior of the data storage library; providing atleast one access door associated with the at least one access opening,wherein the at least one access door comprises a hinged first endcoupled to a portion of the data storage library and an unhinged secondend; opening the at least one access door associated with the at leastone library access opening; and erecting at least one barrier configuredto at least partially surround the at least one library access openingwhen the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least onebarrier comprises at least a first surface operatively coupled to theunhinged second end of the at least one access door and at least asecond surface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the datastorage library.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingmaintaining the at least one access door in a closed position when aservice procedure is not taking place.
 17. The method of claim 15,further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the datastorage library through at least one opening formed in at least onesidewall of the at least one barrier.
 18. The method of claim 15,further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the datastorage library by separating a coupling of the at least one barrierfrom at least one of the at least one access door and the data storagelibrary.